John Aretakis is suing the Quality Inn and Suites in the town of Ulster, claiming he was bitten by bed bugs while a guest there and had to endure the smell of smoke in a non-smoking room. (Freeman photo by Tania Barricklo)

KINGSTON, N.Y. -- A Troy man's lawsuit against the Quality Inn and Suites in the town of Ulster that alleges he was bitten by bed bugs in the hotel and that his non-smoking room smelled of smoke is scheduled to go to trial on Sept. 30.

John Aretakis, a suspended attorney who is representing himself, filed the lawsuit against the Route 28 hotel and its owner on Nov. 24, 2010, in state Supreme Court in Kingston. The case is to be heard by Justice Mary Work.

Aretakis is seeking $25,000 in damages, plus attorney's fees and any other damages the court deems appropriate.

Advertisement

Aretakis said he expects the defendants' attorney to seek dismissal of the smoking complaint.

In the suit, Aretakis said he stayed in Room 268 at the hotel on Sept. 26, 2010. He said the room was designated as non-smoking, though it was next to and across the hall from smoking rooms and the smell of smoke was evident. The suit states the smoke created "a sickening smell" that affected both him and his clothing.

The suit also states that while staying in Room 268, Aretakis was bitten by bed bugs on his legs and other parts of his body and that he suffered cuts, scars, discomfort and anxiety that required a doctor's treatment.

"We've all stayed in flea bag hotels, but this Quality Inn, right here at your roundabout in Kingston, is a flea bag hotel literally," Aretakis said.

The suit alleges the bed bug infestation was caused by the carelessness and recklessness of the defendants.

"The defendant was on notice of the bed bug condition prior to renting the room out to the plaintiff and rented out the room despite being aware of prior complaints and prior injuries from bed bugs in Room 268," the suit alleges.

"It was the defendants' responsibility to provide a safe and habitable room to the public and the plaintiff in particular," the suit states.

Aretakis said he stayed at the hotel with his wife and son while they were in the area for a wedding.

The hotel and its owner, Gokul Inc., are being represented in the lawsuit by attorney Derek Hayden of the Latham-based law firm Shantz & Belkin. The firm referred a reporter's questions about the lawsuit to Selective Insurance Co. of America, which insures the hotel and its owners.

Gail Petersen, director of corporate communications for Selective Insurance, said on Wednesday that "we don't talk about anything that's in current litigation."

Aretakis said the defendants' attorney has submitted a response to the lawsuit that denies his claims.

During his legal career, Aretakis made a name for himself by representing clients who claimed they were abused by Catholic priests.

One of his clients was the Rev. Mark Jaufmann, who died on March 21, 2008, in southern California. Jaufmann sued the Independent Mediation Assistance Program and others stemming from his claims that he was abused as a child by the Rev. Jeremiah Nunan while a parishioner at St. Mary's Church in Hudson. A priest with the Ecumenical Catholic Communion in California, Jaufmann filed his lawsuit in U.S. District Court in October 2006.

Nunan was investigated and cleared of wrongdoing by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany and returned to his ministry in Greene County. In April 2012, though, Nunan was placed on administrative leave from Sacred Heart Parish in Cairo and Our Lady of Knock Mission in East Durham amid new allegations that he sexually abused a minor. His current status was not immediately available.

Aretakis was suspended from practicing law for one year after he was found guilty in late 2008 of professional misconduct by the Appellate Division of state Supreme Court.

Aretakis said he served the suspension but has not yet sought reinstatement. He also has challenged his suspension in court, he said.